Checking ID for alcoholic beverages?

[Wakey]

Many servers and employees working stands are college aged CMs who are not trained bartenders or bouncers. They should be erring on the side of caution by requesting ID if they can't discern someone's age. Where I live in NY, all grocery stores require ID from everyone when buying alcohol - whether you are 21 or 85. They actually take your ID and type your birthdate into the register in order to proceed with the transaction. Drinking age here is also age 21. The age limitations and handling of alcohol are definitely more strict in the U.S. than they are in Europe or even Canada.

We are departing from OP's original question a bit which is whether he will be ID'd at 40 years old, the answer to which is probably not, but I find the cultural thing on drinking quite interesting- and hey it is a discussion forum.

Talking about Florida- aside from age (21/18) the sale of alcohol to underage and potential penalties are very similar.

Most bars and pubs in the UK have a number of casual staff behind the bar- often college students etc.

Selling an underage person alcohol could result in criminal conviction or the license being removed and the place shut down.

This is why many places in the UK operate the sensible policy- to protect their staff and the establishment- that if you look 25 or under you will have to show ID. That is for an 18 year old alcohol age though, so I could certainly see a policy of if you look 30 or under being sensible 'blanket' policy to be adopted by an establishment in Florida.

However, in the UK you would never have anyone in their 70's refused alcohol because they are obviously old enough. Such a policy is nonsensical. As it would be to refuse anyone in their 40s- I have yet to see a 40 year old who looks 18 (or 21). In their 30s people may get asked if they are extremely young looking as my employee did.

There has been misinformation given on here- that it is a legal requirement to ID people in Florida- it may be in some states but not Florida.

Thus the only legal requirement is not to sell to someone under 21.

Thus refusing to sell alcohol to someone obviously in their 40's, 50's, 60's or 70's is just silly. It is risk management gone mad. It is nothing to do with Florida law but some risk management system that is out of control. Yes, any establishment can set that rule, but I travel to Florida all the time for 25 years+ and fortunately, most including Disney do not implement that on the ground. I can see why Disney say it, so it gives them the option, but there is a major failure of customer care when a 70 year old cannot get a drink IMO. However, I suspect in that circumstance they may have done it so no one who is borderline can say- 'Well you let her in without ID' - so maybe there is method behind the apparent madness.

I love the USA by the way- which is why I am there so much.

 

[porschegrl]

I'm surprised by so many people in this thread who are never carded. I have been asked to show ID at least a couple times every trip, and I sure as heck could not be mistaken for under 21, or even under 30.

 

[kiford]

We are departing from OP's original question a bit which is whether he will be ID'd at 40 years old, the answer to which is probably not,

The answer is: Disney property, Disney rules. Disney is a risk-averse company and this is how they have chosen to interpret the law. You can disagree with their position and argue with the staff all you like about Florida statutes, but they aren't going to risk their job. Shorter answer to OP: if you aren't from Florida, have a copy of your passport in your phone regardless of your age.

 

[kaytieeldr]

However, in the UK you would never have anyone in their 70's refused alcohol because they are obviously old enough.

When you require ID from everyone, you protect yourself and your employer/usiness and your wallet and your job. And you dramatically reduce potential claims of discrimination.

florida prohibits sale of alcohol to anyone under 21. Screw common sense. Forget about individual judgment. Give me good, solid proof i can sell you a drink or a bottle.

As someone stated above supermarkets require ID from everyone in the party for alcohol sales (exception for obviously the customer's own children). Fenway Park requires ID from everyone buying alcohol.

I can see why Disney say it, so it gives them the option, but there is a major failure of customer care when a 70 year old cannot get a drink IMO

A 70 year old can absolutely get a drink.

They need to have an ID with them in case it's requested.

 

[Moliphino]

There has been misinformation given on here- that it is a legal requirement to ID people in Florida- it may be in some states but not Florida.

Thus the only legal requirement is not to sell to someone under 21.

There is no legal requirement to ID everyone, but if you are asked for ID and don't have one they won't serve you.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

We are departing from OP's original question a bit which is whether he will be ID'd at 40 years old, the answer to which is probably not, but I find the cultural thing on drinking quite interesting- and hey it is a discussion forum.

Talking about Florida- aside from age (21/18) the sale of alcohol to underage and potential penalties are very similar.

Most bars and pubs in the UK have a number of casual staff behind the bar- often college students etc.

Selling an underage person alcohol could result in criminal conviction or the license being removed and the place shut down.

This is why many places in the UK operate the sensible policy- to protect their staff and the establishment- that if you look 25 or under you will have to show ID. That is for an 18 year old alcohol age though, so I could certainly see a policy of if you look 30 or under being sensible 'blanket' policy to be adopted by an establishment in Florida.

However, in the UK you would never have anyone in their 70's refused alcohol because they are obviously old enough. Such a policy is nonsensical. As it would be to refuse anyone in their 40s- I have yet to see a 40 year old who looks 18 (or 21). In their 30s people may get asked if they are extremely young looking as my employee did.

There has been misinformation given on here- that it is a legal requirement to ID people in Florida- it may be in some states but not Florida.

Thus the only legal requirement is not to sell to someone under 21.

Thus refusing to sell alcohol to someone obviously in their 40's, 50's, 60's or 70's is just silly. It is risk management gone mad. It is nothing to do with Florida law but some risk management system that is out of control. Yes, any establishment can set that rule, but I travel to Florida all the time for 25 years+ and fortunately, most including Disney do not implement that on the ground. I can see why Disney say it, so it gives them the option, but there is a major failure of customer care when a 70 year old cannot get a drink IMO. However, I suspect in that circumstance they may have done it so no one who is borderline can say- 'Well you let her in without ID' - so maybe there is method behind the apparent madness.

I love the USA by the way- which is why I am there so much.

I'm seeing a lot of comparison between the U.K. and the U.S. and thus this and thus that.

Please do understand they are entirely different countries/regions.

There are differences in culture between the two as well not just related to alcohol but on a wide variety of things.

Continuously saying it's ridiculous and whatnot doesn't change the fact that you're far safer having the appropriate ID given one's circumstances if you so choose to order alcohol here in the U.S---key word the U.S. When you're in the UK feel free to abide by U.K customs and laws and means of tracking the compliance of said laws.

I personally don't order if I don't have my ID on me and it's rare for me to not have it on me.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

OP I rarely get asked for ID but I know I can and just assume everytime that they will and so I'm prepared. No ID means I'm not going to order alcohol (that's a personal decision for me). As stated it's not out of state DL that is an issue--those are fine and dandy. For you it would be the passport is what you'll need to use (picture or physical).

As far as being likely to be ID'd that's hard to say. I would just go in prepared to be asked just in case that way you have the right expectation. No need for anyone to get huffy in the event they are asked even if they think they shouldn't be (and I'm not saying you would get huffy though ).

 

[Turksmom]

I told my daughter about this thread and her response to me was,"You get carded every time you order a drink!"
I'll be 50 this summer, so I would definitely err on the side of caution and carry an ID. With the Canadian DL/ passport on phone combo being acceptable, it isn't a great inconvenience

 

[monorailmom]

My DH (54) and I (51) were carded at Via Napoli on Saturday. Keep those ID's handy!!!

 

[Disney_Alli]

I was just on vacation in Arizona and was carded half a dozen times. Once I didn't have my ID on me and thus couldn't drink. I'm 34. I get IDed frequently even here at home (Alberta drinking age is 18) and have been accused of using a fake ID more than once. As I also work in the security field in a casino (no one under 18 allowed inside at all) I understand the laws around being IDed and never complain when asked and fork it over. OP I'd carry my DL and have the picture of my passport handy on my phone OR if you have a Nexus card that's all you'll need as it's issued by the US government and is my current go to when IDed in the US since it's so easy to carry and I can still fly home without it if I were to lose it.

 

[dawnball]

Funny story: We were staying at the Poly a few years ago. My adult DD (age 25) and I went to the gift shop to grab a bottle of wine. I was ready to check out and the ladies at the counter carded my DD. And as every mid-20 person she had her id on her. Then the ladies looked at me and asked for my id as well. Of course I didn't have it! (gee let's do the math here: kid is 25 so therefore....) I asked my DD to buy it since she was "of age"!

I'm surprised they let you do that!

In my state, that's a straw purchase.

We have a local store that's mostly a liquor store, but sells snacks, soda and similar. I was in once and my kid wanted gummy bears. I couldn't buy the gummy bears because a minor had touched them. They were confiscated behind the register and I had to go get a new package, because otherwise it was a straw purchase.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

I'm surprised they let you do that!

In my state, that's a straw purchase.

We have a local store that's mostly a liquor store, but sells snacks, soda and similar. I was in once and my kid wanted gummy bears. I couldn't buy the gummy bears because a minor had touched them. They were confiscated behind the register and I had to go get a new package, because otherwise it was a straw purchase.

Yeah for a time a local liquor store had to ID and scan everyone's ID regardless of who was buying or not. They had been caught selling to underage and thus the store took on a strict "all IDs required" for a few weeks.

So for that PP their relative wouldn't have been able to buy for them because they wouldn't have had an ID to produce for verification.

 

[Pumbaa_]

This one is done

you all know Disney policy.